[2][failed verification] The Grizzlies had streak of 25 consecutive winning seasons from 1986 to 2011, and this included runs to the NCAA FCS (formerly Division I-AA) championship seven times.

The team played only schools from Montana until it helped found the Northwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NWIAA) in 1902.

Despite the association's stated goal of increasing intercollegiate athletics, Montana continued to play only the nearest teams.

Key to the university's decision was the feeling that continued affiliation with the PCC was incompatible with the goal to "keep intercollegiate athletics properly subordinated to the academic function" and they would "seek to develop competition in all sports with institutions similar in purpose, size, resources and academic standing."

(51–41–1) Record, (3–6) vs. Cats Montana's football struggles continued in the new Big Sky Conference, and the team had only won nine games in its first four seasons when school officials decided that a coaching change was needed.

Within two years, Swarthout guided the team to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons in 1969 and 1970, and Montana's first Big Sky Conference titles.

At the end of both years, they were defeated by North Dakota State in the Camellia Bowl, which was part of a set of bowls that determined the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national championship, prior to the current FCS playoff structure.

Continued success was expected, but a disappointing season in 1971 was followed by a work-study scandal that eventually led to Swarthout's resignation.

In 1972, a federal grand jury returned a 32-count indictment charging five university officials and coaches (including Swarthout) with conspiring to illegally use federal-aid money to pay for fictitious jobs for athletes.

[13] Though Swarthout was found not guilty, the charges hurt recruiting and the student-body government decided to withdraw financial support for athletic programs.

[14][15] Despite the controversy and resultant performance decline, Swarthout is credited as being the coach that turned Montana into a winning football program.

Dennehy continued Montana's success, making it to the national championship in his first year for a rematch against Marshall University.

(39–6) Record, (2–1) vs. Cats The Joe Glenn era began with high hopes for the winner of two Division II championships at the University of Northern Colorado.

(13–7) Record, (1–1) vs. Cats In 2009, Robin Pflugrad returned to Montana to become the wide receivers coach under Bobby Hauck.

After that season, Hauck left Montana to become the head coach at UNLV, and Pflugrad was promoted to replace him.

(24–14) Record, (2–1) vs. Cats Mick Delaney was hired July 26, 2012, replacing former head coach Robin Pflugrad.

The Grizzlies had a playoff streak of 17 in a row from 1993–2009, which is a record at the I-AA level, now known as Football Championship Subdivision.

[19] The streak came to an end on November 21, 2010 when the Grizzlies were not selected to the FCS playoffs following a loss to in-state rival Montana State.

In 2001, coach Joe Glenn led the Montana Grizzlies to another national championship by defeating Furman University, 13-6.

Prior to 1920, Montana played its home games at a field in downtown Missoula, near the former Missoulian newspaper building.

[22] Both schools entered the Big Sky Conference as charter members in 1963, with Montana holding a 42-15-2 series lead.

The Montana-Idaho rivalry resumed during the 2018 season when Idaho returned to the Big Sky Conference as a full member.

[23] The Grizzlies also have an annual rivalry game in conference with the Eastern Washington Eagles, called the EWU–UM Governors Cup.

The official school colors of the University of Montana are copper, silver, and gold; these were chosen in recognition of the state's mining history.

Contrary to popular perception, these colors have never changed, with the confusion stemming from the university's decision to represent "copper" with either maroon   or "Texas orange"   at various times in its history.

The College Division concluded the season with four regional bowls, played in December after the final polls were released.

The undefeated Grizzlies played in the Camellia Bowl in 1969 and 1970, but lost both to North Dakota State in Sacramento, California.

"Wild Bill" Kelly was a masterful open field runner who darted and dodged his way to electrifying gains.